Cost of Living in North Macedonia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: North Macedonia
Address: MK

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $595 (excluding rent), and $988 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,439 (excluding rent), and $1,946 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.60 MKD 402

$4.37 MKD 232

$11.40 MKD 604

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.49 MKD 1,509

$18.74 MKD 993

$46.87 MKD 2,483

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.62 MKD 298

$4.68 MKD 248

$7.48 MKD 396

Cappuccino

$1.85 MKD 98.0

$1.11 MKD 58.6

$2.76 MKD 146

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.80 MKD 95.2

$1.33 MKD 70.5

$2.67 MKD 142

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.24 MKD 65.4

$0.96 MKD 50.8

$1.92 MKD 102

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 MKD 117

$1.28 MKD 68.1

$3.69 MKD 195

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 MKD 153

$2.05 MKD 109

$4.82 MKD 255

Milk (1 liter)

$1.29 MKD 68.4

$1.10 MKD 58.1

$1.55 MKD 82.3

White Bread (500g)

$0.71 MKD 37.83

$0.54 MKD 28.63

$1.12 MKD 59.3

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.68 MKD 89.2

$0.96 MKD 50.8

$2.30 MKD 122

Eggs

$2.24 MKD 119

$1.61 MKD 85.1

$2.98 MKD 158

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.80 MKD 466

$6.60 MKD 350

$12.27 MKD 650

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.38 MKD 391

$4.76 MKD 252

$9.51 MKD 504

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.35 MKD 654

$7.47 MKD 396

$16.82 MKD 891

Apples (1kg)

$1.00 MKD 53.0

$0.55 MKD 29.08

$1.84 MKD 97.6

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 MKD 75.6

$1.12 MKD 59.4

$1.86 MKD 98.8

Oranges (1kg)

$1.37 MKD 72.5

$0.68 MKD 35.95

$2.13 MKD 113

Tomato (1kg)

$1.95 MKD 103

$1.12 MKD 59.5

$2.80 MKD 148

Potato (1kg)

$0.87 MKD 46.14

$0.54 MKD 28.71

$1.26 MKD 66.6

Onion (1kg)

$1.02 MKD 53.8

$0.57 MKD 30.13

$1.52 MKD 80.7

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.64 MKD 34.15

$0.37 MKD 19.37

$1.09 MKD 57.6

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 MKD 28.30

$0.37 MKD 19.55

$0.73 MKD 38.59

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.25 MKD 172

$2.87 MKD 152

$3.63 MKD 193

Wine (Bottle)

$6.60 MKD 350

$3.77 MKD 200

$9.43 MKD 500

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 MKD 57.3

$0.96 MKD 50.8

$1.45 MKD 76.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.41 MKD 74.8

$0.92 MKD 48.51

$2.19 MKD 116

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.72 MKD 38.40

$0.54 MKD 28.67

$1.12 MKD 59.4

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.41 MKD 1,505

$18.93 MKD 1,003

$34.08 MKD 1,806

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.15 MKD 61.0

$0.96 MKD 50.7

$1.91 MKD 101

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.61 MKD 32.18

$0.43 MKD 22.91

$1.04 MKD 55.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.67 MKD 406

$5.76 MKD 305

$9.59 MKD 508

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.53 MKD 80.9

$1.44 MKD 76.5

$1.73 MKD 91.7

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.4K MKD 1.8M

$30.6K MKD 1.6M

$38.3K MKD 2.0M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$30.4K MKD 1.6M

$28.0K MKD 1.5M

$33.6K MKD 1.8M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$151 MKD 8,010

$94.7 MKD 5,016

$227 MKD 12.0K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$17.55 MKD 930

$11.17 MKD 592

$22.33 MKD 1,183

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.60 MKD 986

$13.14 MKD 696

$28.15 MKD 1,492

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.73 MKD 1,681

$18.89 MKD 1,001

$47.23 MKD 2,502

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.21 MKD 753

$5.60 MKD 297

$18.65 MKD 988

Cinema Ticket

$6.47 MKD 343

$4.63 MKD 245

$7.39 MKD 392

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$290 MKD 15.3K

$203 MKD 10.8K

$400 MKD 21.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,210 MKD 223.0K

$2,280 MKD 120.8K

$6,841 MKD 362.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.7 MKD 3,747

$28.20 MKD 1,494

$132 MKD 6,971

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.07 MKD 2,229

$22.81 MKD 1,208

$57.0 MKD 3,021

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.5 MKD 5,060

$56.4 MKD 2,986

$139 MKD 7,350

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 MKD 5,939

$65.9 MKD 3,490

$171 MKD 9,084

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$339 MKD 17.9K

$221 MKD 11.7K

$516 MKD 27.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$260 MKD 13.8K

$169 MKD 8,966

$376 MKD 19.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$570 MKD 30.2K

$378 MKD 20.0K

$873 MKD 46.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$405 MKD 21.4K

$283 MKD 15.0K

$580 MKD 30.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,944 MKD 103.0K

$1,231 MKD 65.2K

$2,897 MKD 153.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,433 MKD 75.9K

$1,053 MKD 55.8K

$2,089 MKD 110.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$768 MKD 40.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.76

3.4

6.8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 17, 2026

By City in North Macedonia

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Bitola	74550	45	$551	$899	$1,350	$1,766	258.55	65.96
2	Delcevo	17505	45	$603	$887	$1,244	$1,725	25.93	39.06
3	Gevgelija	20664	39	$455	$780	$1,273	$1,575	93.33	68.56
4	Gostivar	36000	40	$464	$794	$1,190	$1,597	163.81	63.95
5	Kavadarci	29320	40	$539	$792	$1,142	$1,591	50.46	52.38
6	Kicevo	31000	45	$588	$887	$1,354	$1,750	146.62	31.5
7	Kocani	29000	43	$528	$866	$1,222	$1,744	200.44	59.28
8	Kriva Palanka	14010	45	$633	$891	$1,271	$1,762	50.71	26.94
9	Kumanovo	75051	40	$498	$801	$1,251	$1,577	43.86	56.12
10	Ohrid	38940	47	$615	$953	$1,485	$2,130	98.83	51.64
11	Prilep	63308	38	$433	$742	$1,141	$1,517	174.72	57.13
12	Radovis	16690	45	$550	$906	$1,241	$1,779	104.91	57.66
13	Resen	8700	45	$585	$899	$1,553	$1,799	38.93	39.79
14	Skopje	422540	55	$618	$1,104	$1,508	$2,126	286.48	97.31
15	Stip	65000	39	$439	$781	$1,223	$1,474	55.27	77.64
16	Struga	33000	40	$452	$796	$1,242	$1,601	290.21	36.75
17	Strumica	36000	44	$544	$873	$1,210	$1,642	220.44	64.41
18	Sveti Nikole	13220	44	$543	$883	$1,226	$1,767	129.2	61.22
19	Tetovo	53000	49	$586	$988	$1,321	$1,940	75.68	64.02
20	Veles	43716	39	$549	$788	$1,167	$1,488	37.66	65.1

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in North Macedonia - Frequently Asked Questions

North Macedonia offers a favorable balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want steady value without sacrificing access to culture. The Cost of Living in North Macedonia remains lower than Western European capitals and often similar to or cheaper than many Balkan cities, especially outside the capital. In Skopje you will find affordable rents in modest neighborhoods and plenty of affordable local meals, while seaside towns and smaller cities can be even gentler on the budget. Your comfort level and pacing will shape your costs, from apartment size to coworking needs. Tip: scout neighborhoods in person and test a week of errands before committing.

Daily life in North Macedonia for a traveler, expat, or digital nomad centers on practical, variable costs and local rhythms. Housing searches in cities like Skopje and Ohrid favor shorter leases and flexible terms, while some neighborhoods offer better value for longer stays. Food options range from bustling markets to modern cafes, with fresh produce common and reasonably priced. Public transport is reliable in larger towns, with ridesharing and occasional taxis filling gaps. Co-working spaces are growing in urban cores, handy for remote work and meeting locals. North Macedonia living cost varies by neighborhood and season, so test options before committing. Tip: start with a longer trial stay to feel out commute times and neighborhood vibes.

Quality of life in North Macedonia benefits from a flexible budgeting approach that prioritizes essentials, local experiences, and sustainable savings. Build a simple plan that covers housing, food, transport, and a little for leisure, then adjust with the seasons and personal needs. Expect seasonal shifts in crowds and prices, with quieter periods offering better value for longer stays. For neighborhood fit, test a mix of central districts and residential pockets to balance walkability, safety, and access to markets. Embrace local markets for fresh produce, and choose public transport or bikes to keep costs predictable while you explore. Tip: set a monthly check-in to rebalance as needed.